CSU-Pueblo 71, Adams State 64

ALAMOSA, Colo. - Trailing by as much as 19 points in the first half, the ThunderWolves turned it around to post a huge comeback, triumphing 71-64 over Adams State Saturday.

The Pack was getting manhandled early on, finding itself 40-21 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.  CSU-Pueblo, though, needed to prove to itself that it could begin make up such a large disadvantage, and proved it right away.  The Pack immediately went on a 9-0 run, getting five from Daniel Pierce (Jr., Edgewood, N.M.) and a pair of buckets from Matt Fochtman (Jr., Millbrae, Calif.) to get within 10, 40-30, and go into the break trailing a much more managable 43-32.

From that encouraging advance, CSU-Pueblo kept up the pressure.  The Pack opened the second half on a 19-8 run, culminating with a dunk by Chris Busch (Sr., Oakland, Calif.) to tie the game at 51, and all but wresting momentum from the Grizzlies' hands. 

CSU-Pueblo and Adams State engaged in a back-and-forth battle until the five-minute mark, when Kris Lawrie (Jr., Gardena, Calif.) came off the bench to be the Pack's spark plug, making numerous big plays on defense and drawing important trips to the foul line down the stretch.

Trailing 61-57, Lawrie put in two buckets to tie the game at 61.  He also added six boards during the final five minutes, making three trips to the foul line and going 4-for-6 at the charity stripe.  Perhaps his biggest play came at the 29-second mark, as the Pack held a 68-64 lead, taking down a big rebound on the Adams State end that all but sealed the ThunderWolves' come-from-behind win.

With the victory, CSU-Pueblo is able to put its Friday loss to Fort Lewis in the rear view mirror and get back in to the playoff mix, sitting at 11-7 overall and 6-5 in RMAC play.  The Pack, now tied with New Mexico Highlands for the third spot in the RMAC West Division, will take on Highlands at Massari Arena Tuesday night.